The police command in Niger says it arrested nine suspects over alleged thuggery, political violence and other crimes, recovering dangerous weapons at the Trade Fair Complex, Shango, and Chanchaga areas of Minna.

In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said police arrested six suspects on Thursday at about noon along the Trade Fair Complex.

He said the suspects were allegedly engaging in thuggery during political campaign activities.

“The suspects were arrested with two cutlasses, four knives, scissors and other dangerous weapons,” Mr Abiodun said. 

He added that on Friday at about 2:00 p.m., police arrested a suspected notorious thug known as ‘Anasho’ around Tunga.

According to him, the suspect allegedly attacked a political campaign team, damaging its vehicles, banners and other campaign materials.

“The suspect was arrested with a cutlass, and he is in custody under further investigation,” he noted.

In a separate incident, police said a resident of Angwan-Dakoko, Chanchaga, reported a theft at the Chanchaga Divisional Police Headquarters on Wednesday at about 12:30 p.m.

The complainant alleged that a suspect, Lawal Mohammed, 35, of the same area, trespassed into a compound and broke into a room, stealing 11 wrappers and a power bank.

“The suspect was arrested, and four wrappers and the power bank were recovered. He will soon be charged and brought to court for prosecution,” he said.

The police also said a report was made at the Maitumbi Division on Tuesday at about 2:00 p.m. concerning an attack on a house in Angwan-Kadara on Friday at about 11:30 p.m.

Mr Abiodun said some miscreants attacked the house, damaged a vehicle’s windscreen and broke about four crates of soft drinks.

He said police officers, alongside vigilante members, were mobilised to raid the area, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect, Kabiru Mikailu.

“During interrogation, he mentioned Khalifa Usman, Abba Usman, Nafiu, Ali Zagam, Abubakar and some others currently at large,” he said. 

The police said four sticks and two cutlasses were recovered from the suspect.